Shuttle service to begin mid-June and run daily through Labor Day

With summer right around the corner, Tahoe Transportation District (TTD), in partnership with public transit provider Via, is bringing back the Emerald Bay Shuttle for an expanded second season. Building on a successful 2025 pilot, this service will once again give visitors and residents a safe, affordable way to reach one of Lake Tahoe’s most popular destinations while reducing traffic congestion and protecting the basin’s natural environment.

“The Emerald Bay Shuttle is a key step toward improving access while protecting one of Tahoe’s most visited destinations,” Jim Marino, Executive Director of the Tahoe Transportation District. “By providing an easy alternative to driving, we’re helping ease traffic, enhance safety, and preserve the natural experience for everyone.”

The shuttle will run daily from mid-June (start date TBD) through September 7 along two routes. Riders coming from the North or West Shores can pick up the shuttle at Sugar Pine Point Campground. Riders on the South Shore can pick up the shuttle at the South Tahoe Y Transit Center or get on at Camp Richardson. Both routes stop at the Eagle Falls Trailhead in Emerald Bay. Weekend service begins at 8 a.m., with weekday trips starting at 9 a.m. All routes run until 5 p.m.

Rides are $5 one way or $10 roundtrip. Reduced fares of $2.50 one way and $5 roundtrip are available for children under 12, adults ages 65 and older, veterans, riders with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders.

Parking enforcement will be in place during the duration of the shuttle season. TTD will install nearly 400 feet of temporary barriers to restrict access to illegal and unsafe roadside parking, and California Highway Patrol (CHP) is strictly enforcing parking restrictions throughout the Emerald Bay corridor. During last year’s shuttle season, CHP wrote 248 citations, issued 13 moving violations, and had 10 vehicles towed for illegal parking. 

Both of the Emerald Bay Shuttle’s routes connect with public transit service, making more of Tahoe accessible through lake-friendly, car-free travel. Riders can reach the shuttle from the Stateline casino corridor and much of Tahoe’s South Shore by connecting with Tahoe Transportation District Bus Route 50 at the South Tahoe Y Transit Center. On the West Shore, Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit’s (TART) Mainline Bus Route, as well as on-demand microtransit from TART Connect, link with the shuttle at Sugar Pine Point Campground. Biking — or using a shared e-scooter on the South Shore — is a great way to get to a shuttle stop or connecting bus stop.

Riders will be able to reserve their seats at: www.emeraldbayshuttle.com

Walk-up seats may be available depending on excess capacity.

Th Emerald Bay Shuttle is supported by a project team consisting of transportation planning and implementation experts, local government officials, agencies and organizations including: Keep Tahoe Blue, Tahoe Fund, El Dorado County, Caltrans, California Highway Patrol, California State Parks, Placer County, Tahoe Transportation District, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, City of South Lake Tahoe, Sierra State Parks Foundation, South Shore Transportation Management Association, and Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

Key Service Details

Emerald Bay Shuttle

• Season: anticipated to start mid-June – September 7, 2026
• Weekday hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Thursday)
• Weekend and holiday hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Friday – Sunday)
• Fare: $5 one way / $10 roundtrip
• Reduced fare: $2.50 one way / $5 roundtrip for children under 12, adults ages 65+, veterans, riders with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders
• Routes: West Shore Route (from Sugar Pine Point); South Shore Route (from Y Transit Center, with a stop at Camp Richardson)
• Transit connections: TTD Bus Route 50 at the South Y Transit Center. TART Mainline Bus Route and TART Connect Microtransit service at Sugar Pine Point State Park
• Other connections: Bike or ride a shared e-scooter to the South Y Transit Center or Camp Richardson on the South Shore. Bike or walk to the Tahoe City Transit Center or Homewood to catch the TART Mainline.
• Parking: On the South Shore, keep your car parked where you are staying or park at a paid lot along Lake Tahoe Boulevard, at Lake Tahoe Community College, or Camp Richardson. On the north or west shore, park at the Tahoe City Transit Center, Homewood, or Sugar Pine State Park Campground.
• How to book: Reservations will be available at: www.emeraldbayshuttle.com

We are seeking a local or regional artist to design and paint a large-scale exterior mural on the side of the Cascade Kitchens building, South Lake Tahoe’s first-of-its-kind food hall and community gathering space. This mural will serve as a storytelling canvas—capturing the essence of Tahoe while celebrating the Tahoe Fund’s work across our three focus areas: The Forest, The Lake, and The Experience. The mural sits above newly installed bike racks, made possible thanks to Tahoe Fund donors. 

The Tahoe Fund’s mission is to improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy. We support environmental improvement projects throughout the Basin that reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, improve the health of the lake, and make it easier to get around, enjoy, and take care of Lake Tahoe. Thanks to thousands of generous donors, we have helped our partners complete more than 250 projects around the Lake. 

The selected artist will create a visually compelling piece that reflects the spirit of the Tahoe Fund’s mission and also incorporates elements of what makes Tahoe special: our landscape, our love of outdoor recreation, and our strong community. The mural should feel inspiring, approachable, and rooted in Tahoe—something that resonates with both locals and visitors. Paint will be donated by Kelly Brothers Paint. 

This project is an opportunity to contribute a lasting piece of public art in South Lake Tahoe and inspire others to get involved in our work to improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy.  

Project Goals

• Beautify a community-facing wall at Cascade Kitchens above their bike racks
• Celebrate Tahoe’s natural environment and outdoor identity
• Celebrate Tahoe Fund’s work across our three focus areas:  The Forest, The Lake, and The Experience. Learn more here or at tahoefund.org 
• Create an engaging, photo-worthy visual that draws people in

Artist Eligibility

• Open to local and regional artists (preference for those connected to the Tahoe Basin)
• Experience with large-scale outdoor murals preferred

Site Details

• Location: Cascade Kitchens, South Lake Tahoe
• Wall dimensions: 71.5″ x 107.75″
• Surface type: Stucco and painted concrete
• Visibility: High-traffic, community-facing location

Budget & Support

• Artist stipend: $3,000
• Paint provided by Kelly Brothers Paint

Timeline

• Call for Artists Opens: May 11, 2026
• Submission Deadline: June 14, 2026
• Artist Selected & Notified: by Friday of June 26, 2026
• Installation Period: July – early August 2026

Submission Requirements

Please include the following:

• Brief artist statement and interest in the project
• 2–5 examples of past work (murals or similar scale preferred)
• Initial concept sketch or idea for the mural
• Estimated timeline for completion
• Contact information

How to Apply

Applications are now closed.

The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) is advancing the next phase of coordinated East Shore Trail Parking improvements with construction set to begin in May 2026 on the SR 28 North Parking Project (Phase 2 of the Tunnel Creek Parking Project), near Incline Village, Nev. The project is part of the East Shore Trail expansion, and a broader regional effort to improve safety, enhance recreational access, and better manage parking along the SR 28 corridor.

The project is being delivered in partnership with the Tahoe Fund, Nevada Department of Transportation, Washoe County, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Nevada Division of State Lands, Nevada Division of State Parks, and other regional partners.

The project will provide 38 paid parking spaces immediately north of the existing 90-space paid parking area at the East Shore Trailhead located on SR 28 in Incline Village. In addition, the project includes a public transit shelter on SR 28 just north of Lakeshore Drive for southbound transit passengers. Finally, the project includes environmental restoration of an eroded shoulder area on the west side of SR 28 known as Rocky Point to protect Lake Tahoe’s clarity.

“This is another important step in a larger, coordinated effort along the East Shore,” said Jim Marino, Executive Director of the Tahoe Transportation District. “By expanding and improving parking management in key recreation areas, we are reducing congestion, improving safety, and supporting sustainable access to Lake Tahoe as we prepare for the eventual construction of new sections of the East Shore Trail.”

TTD awarded the construction contract to F.W. Carson Company of Incline Village, Nevada, a local contractor with extensive experience delivering transportation and infrastructure projects in the Tahoe Basin.

“This moment is years in the making,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the hard work of our agency partners, we’re thrilled to see these first steps in what will eventually be the expansion of the East Shore Trail.”

The East Shore Trail Parking Expansion Project builds on ongoing regional parking and mobility improvements designed to address high seasonal visitation and better manage limited capacity in one of the most heavily used recreation corridors in the Tahoe Basin.

As part of this broader strategy, TTD is working with the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit on additional improvements to parking areas which are planned for opening in Spring 2026, including:

• Chimney Beach (seasonal paid parking beginning June 1)
• Secret Harbor (seasonal paid parking also beginning June 1)
• Spooner Mobility Hub (construction beginning in May)

Once open, the Chimney Beach Trailhead will provide approximately 130 parking spaces in conjunction with parking enforcement and removal of roadside parking spaces to improve safety along the SR 28 corridor. The Secret Harbor Trailhead has approximately 30 spaces. Eventually both parking areas will offer connections to the Tahoe East Shore Trail, which is currently in design.

These coordinated efforts are intended to reduce unsafe roadside parking, improve emergency vehicle access, prevent water quality impacts from compacted road shoulders, and encourage the use of transit, biking, and other alternative transportation options along SR 28.

Stay informed and plan ahead

Construction activity and visitor impacts will vary throughout the season. The public is strongly encouraged to sign up for project updates and alerts at: SR28projects@tahoetransportation.org

TTD will continue coordinating with F.W. Carson Company and partner agencies to provide construction updates as the project moves forward at www.tahoetransportation.org/projects/sr-28-north-parking-project/

For details on Tahoe Transportation District and its current projects, visit www.TahoeTransportation.org or call (775) 589-5500.